Pineapple farms, foster families, and PepsiCo’s pricing predicament.
Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom.
As you move from discover to explore to discern, the themes go deeper. But any of these stories can work for conversation with the whole family. We’ll also include a Conversation Kickoff to help you break the proverbial ice if your kids aren’t ready to dive deep right away.
This week, we’re seeing a theme of making space. Look for ways people make space—or fail to do so—in these stories.
Welcome birds to the farm.
🧠 What do we need to know about this story?
Scientist James Zook studied birds in Costa Rica for 18 years. Large single-crop pineapple farms didn’t attract birds. But farms with trees, shrubs, and a variety of crops gave native birds a space to nest.
❤️️ How does this story affect our understanding?
Consider the theme of diversity. Why don’t native birds thrive in farms that grow only pineapples? Why would farmers grow just one type of crop? What benefits do farmers–and local birds–see when farms grow a diversity of crops? Can we draw any lessons from this for our own lives?
✋ How does this story inspire our actions?
Plan a diverse spring garden. Make it a family research project. Learn which plants grow well in your area and which create food and shelter for the creatures near you!
Conversation Kickoff! If you ran your own farm, and you could grow anything at all, what crops would you grow? Why?
Foster Families Needed
🧠 What do we need to know about this story?
Many children arrive alone at the United States/Mexico border. When they do, they need foster homes. Christian families open their homes to these kids—but more families are needed.
❤️️ How does this story affect our understanding?
Notice the theme of home. Why do children need more than food and shelter? What makes something a home? Consider the tough questions of immigration. Why do people want to come to the United States? What makes it more than a political issue? What reason does the Hazelton family give for taking in foster kids?
✋ How does this story inspire our actions?
Look for ways to “make space” for people in need. Ask your church about opportunities for giving and hospitality.
PepsiCo Gets Pulled
🧠 What do we need to know about this story?
A French rule meant to fight rising costs of living means supermarkets face big fines if they don’t reach pricing deals with suppliers. But PepsiCo products keep getting more expensive. Now international supermarket Carrefour has pulled that company’s products from shelves.
❤️️ How does this story affect our understanding?
How are French lawmakers trying to “make space” for people who struggle to afford household goods? Does their plan seem to be working? Why do stores and suppliers disagree on prices? This story raises the question of brand loyalty. Do you feel more loyal to your favorite brand or your favorite store? And why? Does your position change with your budget?
✋ How does this story inspire our actions?
Involve your kids in the grocery budgeting process. Compare the prices and ingredients of name brands to those of generic brands. Is the brand worth the extra cost? With older kids, research the way common household products change in price over time. For those in the United States, you can find some great info at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. — Luke 14:13-14
Together, let’s get the conversation started. He has equipped you for the work.
